World Cup 2010 FANS!

Chile and Slovakia will be driven by the shared desire to spring an upset when they tackle respective rivals Brazil and the Netherlands in the Round of 16 on Monday. FYI: Both sets of teams have met each other already.

Brazil and Chile
Brazil played Chile almost one year to the day on June 27, 1998 – Brazil beat Chile 4-1 in front of 45,500 fans in Paris, France. Their first meeting was on June 13, 1962 when Chile hosted the World Cup in Santiago De Chile. The 1998 results almost echoed the 1962 results: Brazil emerged victorious with a 4-2 victory.

Slovakia and the Netherlands
Back in 1938, Slovakia was not an independent nation – however, while still a part of Czechoslovakia, they met the Netherlands at Le Havre, France in front of 11,000 fans. The Dutch were whipped with a 3 – 0 victory by the Czechs – with the game going into extra-time.

Both the Brazilians and Dutch enjoy a worldwide reputation for spectacular play, but arguably no team at the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ has been more attractive going forward, not to mention more resolutely attack-minded, than Chile. That said, Marcelo Bielsa’s men will be put to a gruelling test by their fellow South Americans, whose strength and serenity particularly caught the eye during the group stage. The current Brazil line-up may not yet stand comparison with some of their sparkling predecessors, but their results have been no less convincing.

The Netherlands are gracing South Africa with players every bit as gifted as previous vintages and they hope to break new ground by lifting the Trophy for the first time. Bert van Marwijk’s troops have gone an impressive 22 matches without defeat and now find themselves just four games away from football’s ultimate prize, but they will need to be wary of a fearless Slovakia side, who so memorably disposed of holders Italy 3-2.

The big gameBrazil-ChileThis all-South American showdown speaks volumes for the success CONMEBOL sides have enjoyed in South Africa, though it will be Brazil feeling the more confident thanks to their 46 victories in their 65 previous meetings between the countries. The five-time world champions’ coach Dunga has altered his team’s style of play without compromising their winning mentality, giving them an almost European feel characterised by power and efficiency. That transformation owes much to the fact that 20 of his 23 players ply their club trade on the Old Continent, yet there have still been characteristic Brazilian flourishes, flowing from the likes of Maicon, Elano and Luis Fabiano.

The rich seam of talent continues to run deep and Dunga was even able to do without Kaka, Elano and Robinho for the goalless draw against Portugal. Brazil give the impression of a steamroller that is gathering momentum and will be difficult to stop, particularly since Chile coach Bielsa will need to turn to youth after the 2-1 loss to Spain left him with three players suspended. Centre-back duo Gary Medel and Waldo Ponce will be notable absentees, but South Africa 2010 has hardly been devoid of upsets thus far.

In focusFavourites (NED) v Underdogs (SVIndependent since 1993, Slovakia may have taken a while to emerge from the shadow cast by the former Czechoslovakia, but there can be no disputing their steady progress. Fourth in their qualifying section ahead of France 1998, third on the road to Korea/Japan 2002 and second four years ago, they continued their upward trajectory by sealing top spot for South Africa 2010 thanks to a team built on sturdy foundations. Forwards Stanislav Sestak of Bochum and Robert Vittek of Ankaragucu – the latter scorer of a double against Italy – are the brightest lights in the side along with Napoli playmaker Marek Hamsik and Liverpool stopper Martin Skrtel, and having disposed of La Nazionale they must turn their attentions to another European powerhouse. Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk boasts a squad brimming with star quality and has succeeded in getting those gifted individuals to play as a unit, giving the likes of Robin van Persie, Rafael van der Vaart, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben unshakable belief that they can go all the way. Slovakia, on the other hand, have exceeded expectations and have nothing to lose.

What they said
“I’d compare this generation with the one that reached the World Cup semi-finals in 1998. Back then I was happy with that result, but this time I’d be very disappointed to finish second,” Phillip Cocu, Netherlands assistant coach.